Have You Done A First Aid Course?

[Bathsheba]

I've been meaning to do one for years... and finally booked into one today.

I'm going through The Red Cross. Apparently St.John's Ambulance will not be running them any more as of May... this is what I was told today on the phone when I rang them.

So, if you have done a course who have you done it with and how did you find it (what was your experience)?

Also, some private health funds cover the cost of doing them. NIB will 100% cover the cost of my course ($175) so yay!

[jackrose]

Firstly, well done! It is an invaluable skill to have.

Secondly, thanks for the health fund info, that is really interesting and I wish I had know earlier!

Thirdly, I have done a number of first aid courses over the years, some good, some bad... it all depends on the instructor I find.

The good news is that in recent years the CPR component of first aid courses has been rejigged a bit to be much easier to remember and perform. No more complicated rules of breaths and compressions, different for adults, children and babies.

Hope you enjoy it and come out the other end feeling empowered (and that you never have to use it ).

[Pretty Butterfly]

I have held a first aid certificate since I left high school!!!
I had to have one for work ( child care), and then for FDC... so have renewed it every 3 years....
But since Zavier is now 3, It has probably run out now...

It was always done through St Johns Ambulance at our local Adult Ed centre, and it was tax deductable, due to work...

[~Raven~]

I did one through Ambulance Victoria but it was years ago and I should do a refresher to be on the safe side.

[Trillian]

I have done several now, but I can't remember who they were through as it wasn't directly via St John's etc. I really need to do a refresher though...

[Jaycee]

I have not, but thank you for reminding me that this is something I really need to do!
Off to look into courses now

[luna moth]

I have always had one, and they are SO worthwhile. Unfortunately I have had to use it multiple times - kids!
You need to update every three years, and should do a CPR refresher every 12 months to stay current. I find that the more times I do it, the more confident I become, which then makes me calmer in the situation, always a plus.
So, in 10 years, I've gone through a variety of providers. I can't go past St Johns for being the best. Red Cross were also good. The others all mediocre, but they're cheap. Good for refreshers.

[Matryoshka]

I've done the "caring for babies" course which is a full day. Learnt how to resucitate a baby and lots of other injury stuff.

I didn't get any kind of rebate, was about $150 through st John ambulance i think, but the skills i learnt are invaluable. You can't put a price on potentially saving your child's life.